Why Dismantling the FBI Could Be Crucial for Indigenous Sovereignty and Justice
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has a troubling history of actions and inactions that undermine the safety, sovereignty, and justice of Indigenous communities. From surveilling Native movements to neglecting systemic corruption and fostering distrust, the FBI has repeatedly harmed the very citizens it is supposed to protect. Under the upcoming Trump administration, with Kash Patel positioned to reshape or dismantle the FBI, closing the agency could mark a transformative step toward justice for tribal nations.
Montana’s Drug Trafficking Crisis and Tribal Vulnerability
Montana has long been a corridor for drug trafficking, with routes extending from Canada into tribal lands such as Fort Peck and Fort Belknap. Despite numerous witness testimonies, private investigations, and public reports, the FBI has consistently failed to address the issue. Worse, evidence implicates FBI agents in obstructing justice. Reports suggest agents have facilitated drug trafficking operations, protected smugglers, and intimidated witnesses.
One tribal legal advocate faced severe retaliation for exposing the FBI’s involvement, and witnesses willing to testify against powerful drug rings were silenced or ignored. By closing the FBI, tribal and local governments could establish enforcement mechanisms rooted in accountability, transparency, and cultural respect, free from federal interference. Read more: Montana Drug Smuggling and FBI Complicity – Boyden Report
Surveillance and Infiltration of Native Movements
From the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the 1970s to the NoDAPL protests at Standing Rock in 2016, the FBI has targeted Native-led environmental and sovereignty movements with surveillance and infiltration. The murder of Anna Mae Aquash, a prominent AIM leader, in 1975 remains shrouded in controversy, with evidence pointing to federal interference. The FBI ignored crucial evidence, spread disinformation to discredit AIM leadership, coerced witnesses, and manipulated evidence to fracture Indigenous organizing efforts. Anna Mae Aquash – Wikipedia
________
Join Our Membership - Free!
________During the Standing Rock protests, the FBI escalated its tactics, employing drones, informants, and undercover agents to monitor peaceful protesters. Despite finding no significant criminal activity, the agency created a culture of fear and paranoia, undermining the kinship networks essential for Indigenous organizing. The FBI even shared intelligence with corporate entities, prioritizing profits over tribal sovereignty. Read more: FBI sent several informants to Standing Rock protests, court documents show | Grist
Leonard Peltier’s Case as a Symbol of Retribution
Leonard Peltier’s decades-long imprisonment is a stark example of the FBI’s punitive approach toward Indigenous leaders. Convicted in a deeply flawed trial for the murder of two FBI agents, Peltier remains incarcerated despite evidence of coerced witness testimony, withheld exculpatory evidence, and international condemnation. The FBI’s opposition to clemency for Peltier underscores its prioritization of retribution over justice. Read more: FBI’s opposition to releasing Leonard Peltier driven by vendetta, says ex-agent | Native Americans | The Guardian
President Trump has shown a willingness to grant clemency in cases challenging federal overreach, such as considering Ross Ulbricht, supported by libertarians, and his openness to pardoning January 6th protesters. Given this precedent, why not Leonard Peltier?
A Fundamental Need for Change
The FBI’s history of misconduct—enabling drug trafficking, suppressing Indigenous movements, and perpetuating injustices like Leonard Peltier’s imprisonment—reveals a systemic failure to serve tribal communities.
Building a Path Forward Without the FBI
Under a Trump administration and Kash Patel’s leadership, dismantling the FBI could offer meaningful change:
Empowering Tribal Governments in Law Enforcement: Redirecting resources from federal agencies to tribal governments would enable Native nations to address crime on their lands without external interference.
Ending Invasive Federal Surveillance Practices: Disbanding the FBI would halt monitoring tactics, allowing Indigenous movements to advocate for their rights without fear of infiltration.
Providing Justice for Historical Wrongs: Cases like Leonard Peltier’s could be fairly reviewed, and systemic barriers to justice would be dismantled.
Redirecting Funds to Community Programs: Resources currently allocated to FBI operations could support education, healthcare, and infrastructure development on tribal lands.
Reclaiming Sovereignty and Justice
The FBI has consistently failed to uphold justice for Indigenous peoples, perpetuating harm through complicity, surveillance, and systemic corruption. Closing the agency under a restructured federal government could provide a fresh start for tribal nations to reclaim sovereignty, strengthen community safety, and address historical injustices.
For Indigenous communities, dismantling the FBI represents not just a political shift but a significant step toward justice, self-determination, and safety. We urge our Senators to confirm Kash Patel as FBI Director under the Trump administration, paving the way for this critical transformation.
